DOUBLE WOW! PHENOMENAL details in this INCREDIBLE macro, Valarie!!Cicada killer wasps took over my backyard five years ago. They are very, very territorial and chase other insects away...like butterflies and dragonflies. They try to chase me away...but I've learned how to deal with them. My chocolate lab, Lucky, will snap at them!

I tried to provide Professor Chuck Holliday's Cicada Killer Wasp page...but am having trouble copying it. For three years...I captured the wasps and their paralyzed cicadas and sent them to the Professor to help with his research that spanned 20 years.

I'd say he's a perfect "Blue Boy"! Or "Dashing Blue"? Well, lessee, the dark-tipped, pale blue abdomen is the first clue, followed by the white face and greenish eyes. Hmmm .. then the black and yellow striped thorax nails it!! Yep, the perfect Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis ... but despite the Latin “longipennis” in the scientific name these guys are not particularly long-winged. You got all the clues lined up perfectly! Superb colors and crisp details galore! Depth of field outta this world! I'd say splendid and harmonious, Texanna !! I'd love to see your EXIF. #8803202

Busy cleaning up supper dishes and never had a chance to look at the happenings of BP...so was surprised...and happy when I did! Thank all of you so much for your wonderful support and comments. I truly appreciate all your kindness and think I'll leave the rest of the dishes for my husband! :) Thanks again!! #8840765

A basket full of posies! Thank you, Kathy...and thanks to all of you my BP friends for stopping by and commenting...you're all the best and all very appreciated for both your very fine work, as well as, the support and encouragement you give to others! #8843032

Oh goodie! I knew it! BP sure knows how to crown winners :-) I'm so-o pleased that this terrific image won first place Valarie!!! It's so deserving. Congratulations many times over :-) I wish I knew how to send you fancy flowers like Kathy! #8843192

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Description

~Blue Dasher~

ID compliments of Jim Baines...Thanks, Jim!

It's one of those "duh days"...am stalled for a title...but can't help looking at this and thinking how happy this guy looks hanging out in the lily pond in the early morning and warming up his flight muscles for about a thousand buzz-arounds the lily pond at Zilker Botanical Gardens here in Austin....

Made With

Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Val Feldman. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer. Contact photographer via gallery.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.